Biological Pests

Control of common insect pests

The damage caused by insects can range from feeding and regurgitation marks to the total destruction of cultural property. Unfortunately, many of the chemicals used to fumigate or protect this material have the potential to damage the things we are trying to protect, as well as posing significant health hazards to the people using them.

In recent years, many new, low-toxic and non-toxic methods of insect control, which are suitable for use with heritage collections, have been developed. Some of these methods are:

• use of low temperatures;

• fumigation using controlled atmospheres;

• use of sticky traps;

• biological control—the use of parasites and predators; and

• use of some of the new-age pesticides, for example, insect-growth regulators and pheromones, to control insect pests.

Integrated pest management

Although the methods mentioned above will help to overcome an existing pest problem, it is preferable to avoid problems. Because of this, there is greater reliance on Integrated Pest Management—IPM—within cultural institutions.

An IPM program aims to reduce the occurrence of pests and the damage they cause within collections. An IPM program relies on a knowledge of pests and their habits, to make the environment undesirable or hostile for them. The success of an IPM program comes from a thorough understanding of pests' ecologies, and the ability to modify the conditions which will enhance pest numbers. That is, the ability to control temperature, food and shelter.

Probably the most important first step in an IPM program is to find and identify any insects infesting the collection. By correctly identifying the insect, you can find out:

• whether or not the insect is a pest normally found in museums, galleries and libraries;

• what types of material are likely to be infested; and

• where to look and what to look for, for example, frass from borers.

If you have no success identifying the insects from the notes in this section, try insect identification books or the entomology department of a museum. You can also contact your local pest control operator for assistance.

One of the major benefits of IPM is that pest problems are controlled without relying solely on the use of chemicals. It involves the implementation of a number of measures. These include physical, cultural and chemical control.

Physical control alters the environment by making it hostile or inaccessible to pests. Some examples of physical control are:

• physical exclusion, that is, packaging to exclude insects, seals around doors and insect screens;

• sealing cracks and other crevices in which insects can hide, using a caulking gun or sealer; and

• draught strips and seals around and under doors, and screens for windows and vents.

Cultural control manipulates the pest's environment to make it less favourable. Some examples of cultural control are:

• controlling relative humidity and temperature;

• good housekeeping. A clean environment helps to deter or reduce most pest problems because there will be no food for them. A vacuum cleaner is useful for several reasons: it instantly reduces insect numbers by removing them, their eggs, and any materials they have left behind. It removes a variety of insects in one hit; and

• improving ventilation and air movement.

Chemical control means carefully selecting and applying pesticides on the advice of your local pest control operator or museum conservation officer. There are two main categories of pesticides:

• biological: insect growth regulators and pheromone attractants; and

• general pesticides: insecticides, rodenticides and herbicides.

Summary of integrated pest management

Make the environment undesirable to pests by:

• physical exclusion;

• physical removal—vacuuming;

• good housekeeping;

• maintaining good environmental conditions; and

• applying chemicals as required.

Monitor the area by:

• inspecting the area regularly; and

• placing and inspecting insect traps.

If a pest infestation is found, implement non-chemical eradication methods first:

• inspect and remove all infested or suspect material;

• thoroughly inspect neighbouring material;

• thoroughly clean the area by vacuum cleaning;

• apply pesticides, if and where necessary;

• use blunder or pheremone traps; and

• carry out subsequent inspections.

To treat infested material:

• Bag and seal material to contain infestations until the situation is controlled; and

• Freeze infested material, or treat it using one of the alternative methods, such as low-oxygen fumigation.

Check the IPM program you have developed with a conservator.